Broken Cross Roundabout Project Review

Following residents continued concerns and a number of recent traffic accidents at the Broken Cross roundabout improvement works, local MP, David Rutley, met on site with Simon Wallace, Network & Road Safety Manager at Cheshire East Council, to discuss safety for road users and pedestrians.

From 9^th December to 3^rd January, the works at the roundabout have ceased for Christmas. Before the break, a number of residents contacted David to highlight the difficulties they were facing when the traffic lights were turned off at the end of the contractor’s working day and how the confusion surrounding traffic flows and rights of way had caused a number of accidents.

As the works have been paused for Christmas, there continues to be some confusion, as only some of the newly installed traffic lights were covered over to indicate that they are not in use. During the meeting, David raised these concerns and Mr Wallace confirmed that during the break all traffic lights are out of use, and that he will ensure the contractors cover the lights to improve safety at the site.  

Further safety matters that have also been brought to David’s attention, regarding vehicles cutting over the grass verge on Pexhill Road to miss the congestion build up, were reviewed. This is an issue which David has raised directly with Cheshire East Council and is pleased this is now being addressed with temporary signage or barriers being installed.

During the meeting, David continued to raise the importance of active communication to make residents aware of the current plans and the next phases of the project. Mr Wallace confirmed that the project works will start again on 3^rd January and that from 25^th January re-surfacing works will begin at the roundabout, with certain sections being closed whilst these works are ongoing. The works currently have a completion date of end of February/early March 2023.

Speaking after the visit, David said, “Local residents have raised a number of concerns about the works at Broken Cross roundabout, since they commenced. I have been in frequent contact with Cheshire East Council to highlight the need to improve communication and address ongoing safety concerns. I am pleased Mr Wallace and the Highways team will be instructing the contractors to come back and cover all the traffic lights to reduce the confusion at the roundabout over the Christmas break, and help raise awareness of local residents and road users of plans for the weeks ahead.”

Pictured - David Rutley and Simon Wallace.